Hardly anyone wants to visit a ghost town or deserted place when on holiday. The island of Mallorca is not one of those places that closes down during the winter. In fact it has plenty to offer in addition to its fine weather.

If you thought Majorca was just a summer destination then you may be interested to find how much it offers the visitor during the winter. With temperatures still in the 20s in October and only a little less in subsequent months it provides ideal conditions for exploring this diverse Island.

Many of the hotels remain open throughout the year so choosing somewhere to stay is quite simple. For those who do not want to drive then basing yourself in the capital Palma would be a safe choice as not only could you spend a few days exploring this historic city but there are efficient public transport links to other parts of the Island. Palma is dominated by its Cathedral but, as befits a city as big as Palma, there are many other sites including Bellver Castle high above the town and, of course, a great shopping experience. One of the most popular trips is to take the old railway line from the centre of Palma to the northern town of Soller. This train dates back from the beginning of the 20th Century and still retains the charm and atmosphere of that era. Leaving the outskirts of Palma you pass through the Orange and Olive groves that dominate the countryside, sometimes so close you feel that you could reach out and pick the fruit from the trees. After stopping at various small villages on the way the line begins to climb and you pass through the tunnels beneath the Tramuntana mountains emerging high above Soller town with great views from the train of Soller itself and the coast. The train then descends slowly through a series of additional tunnels and viaducts, giving the passenger exciting glimpses of mountains, sea and town until it reaches Soller.

From Soller station you have a choice; firstly spend some time is this town which hasn’t changed much over the years, its narrow streets and old shops enticing the visitor to explore further and its magnificent town square dominated by the huge church and the old Bank of Soller building, full of small outdoor cafes and restaurants. Then from Soller town you can take one of the old trams that run a regular service from the station through the streets of the town down to the Port of Soller where there is more to do and see.

Soller is on the route of GR221 an ancient track that is now a popular route for walkers. It stretches right across the Tramuntana range from Andratx in the south to Pollenca in the north east, passing through magical places like Estellencs, Valldemossa, Deia, Soller, Lluc and Pollenca. It can be walked in sections and offers opportunities to stay in a diversity of accommodation from Five star hotels and converted Olive mills to Bed and Breakfast guest houses and villas, and give walkers the chance to visit many of the small coves and towns along the way.

It is also possible to visit other parts of the island on the recently updated train from Palma which now goes to the ancient town of Inca and then on to Sa Pobla and then Manacor. Manacor is the second largest town on the island and home of the Mallorcan pearl industry. Here you can visit pearl shops and factories where you can watch the manufacturing process and purchase the finished item.

If you do have any time left at the end of your holiday then the weather should be enjoyable enough for you to just lie back and relax and soak up some of that winter sun.

THE TASTY ONE: Helsinki, Finland

The Finnish capital is full of surprises. Some bits feel like Rome, as you idle over coffee at pavement cafes; others feel like St Petersburg, as you stroll by its powder-blue and primrose-yellow Neo-Classical buildings.

But if food is the way to your other half’s heart, head for Helsinki – rapidly establishing Nordic cooking on the global gastro-map. Ingredients are super-fresh, flavours clean, and courses tend to come in lots of one-fork bites – perfect for feeding each other.

Foams and powders rule at Olo (mains from £23), where chef/owner Pekka Terävä serves up ‘New Nordic Kitchen’ at its best. But Savoy (mains from £23) is Helsinki’s most romantic dining spot, with views over the leafy esplanade to the archipelago (expect twists on tradition, such as reindeer served two ways – entrecote with cep mayonnaise, and T-bone with a liquorice sauce).

For breakfast – and great cinnamon buns – try Café Success (Korkeavuorenkatu 2), then shop for sexy stuff at the Design Forum Finland (www.designforum.fi), which parades the latest Finnish designers as well as the kitschest keepsakes. Look around the old market hall, all stacks of plump chanterelles; then snooze at Hotel Glo (www.palacekamp.fi; doubles from £139), where sheepskin rugs and velvet cushions soften the minimalist lines.

Airlines serving Helsinki include BA (www.ba.com) and Finnair (www.finnair.com), both flying from Heathrow